Precarious Yates | Featured YA Author

Plus a #YALit Giveaway!

About Precarious Yates…

Precarious Yates lives in Texas with husband, daughter, sheep, dogs, chickens, parakeets and by the time you read this some other exotic creature her husband and daughter have brought home. She studied the plight of and worked toward the abolition of modern slavery for over a decade before sitting down to write Revelation Special Ops. She was further inspired by the work of her sister-in-law, who helped to found Love146, an organization that works to raise awareness about human trafficking and builds safe homes in vulnerable regions. Yates spent several years overseas as a missionary in Ireland, and also did missions work in India and the Philippines. Her passion for literature has become her means of further educating young adults of the realities of modern slavery, while producing hope through the power of Christ Jesus in us.

About The Elite of the Weak…

Crawling through an air duct in Queens…spending all night alone in an African jungle…that’s normal for teenage spy Hadassah Michelman. She wants to join Revelation Special Ops, a Christian organization that works to rescue kids from modern slavery.

Hadassah’s life is about to get a whole lot crazier.

The spies of Revelation Special Ops are the elite of the weak. Weak because their hearts are broken for the oppressed. Elite because they keep the code.

Q&A with Precarious Yates…

Avery, age 14, asks, “What is your favorite movie based on a book?”

That would have to be the Lord of the Rings trilogy, the extended versions. I could tell that Peter Jackson and the crew really loved the books. Even though they had to make changes to accommodate modern storytelling, they did so with great honor to the original story.

Marin, age 11, asks, “Who is your favorite character from Frozen and why?”

Right after my daughter and I saw the movie together, I asked her this same question, and we both had the same answer: Elsa. Why? Because she conquers her seemingly insurmountable fears and learns how to love, even when it’s really difficult.

Maxie asks, “At what age was your first book published and how many do you have out now?”

I had my thirtieth birthday party and my first book launch on the same day. It was in a library in Dungarvan, Ireland, while I lived over there, and it was a beautiful evening! Today, I have 10 books out.

Chelsea, age 17, asks, “How long does it take for a book to be published after you get a publisher?”

I have self-published/indie published all my books, so I don’t know how long, but can only guess that the first time around it takes at least a year and a half.

Jessica asks, “Do all authors have agents? How does an author get an agent?”

I’m trying to get my first agent now. Yes, after my tenth book.

Megan, age 13, asks, “What is your favorite book?”

My favorite fiction book is called Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis, the man who wrote The Chronicles of Narnia. I read the book for the first time when I was 15, and it was what I really needed at that stage in my life. At the same time, the book has been timeless in my life, and any time I reread it, the book speaks afresh to me. I also love The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky.

Noelle, age 11, asks, “I like to write. What can I do now to be a better writer?”

Here’s my best advice to you, Noelle:1. Write what you enjoy, and write lots of it. The simple act of writing will improve your skills over time.2. Read a lot, but try to find really good books, not just popular ones.3. Be okay with your own creative process. If you like to plot, don’t be afraid to do that. The Snowflake Method is a really good plotting method. If plotting destroys your story before you start it, don’t be afraid of not plotting. If you like to do a little of both, which is the way I write these days, go with your own creative flow.

To enter please leave a question for Precarious Yates in the comments section below. Other entries available via the Rafflecopter. You must leave a blog comment to enter. Giveaway ends Thursday, July 31st. One random winner will be chosen and announced in my August newsletter (subscribe via the form in the bottom right corner).

I already follow Precarious Yates on Facebook, Twitter, and her blog, but I enjoyed learning more about her in this interview. I’m a great admirer of her work against human trafficking and her courage to write about it in her novels. I recently purchased Elite of the Weak and encourage young women to read it!

Thank you, ladies! This issue is one that I’ve been quite passionate about for over a decade, and more so now that I’m a mom. The Elite of the Weak is the first book in the series. Book 2, Pharmacia: Those Magic Arts is also available in ebook and paperback. Book 3 is currently in the works!

And those who haven’t read Cynthia T, Toney should check out her book Birdface!

The most obvious question here would be, Why did your parents name you Precarious? The other question would be, check out our church library webpage. http://www.churchatthemall.com/library
I would love to win your book to add to our Young Adult section of the library.
Thanks!
Janet E.

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1st Place ~ ACFW Genesis Contest 2014 ~ YA Category

1st Place in the Young Adult Category for 2013!

About Me

Once upon a time, SARA ELLA dreamed she would marry a prince and live in a castle. As a former Disney Parks cast member, she’s had her fair share of enchanted moments. Now she spends her days home schooling two princesses and conquering realms of her own imaginings. Oh, and she married her prince, glass slipper included. She believes “Happily Ever After is Never Far Away” for those who put their faith in the King of kings. Read More…